Have you seen a furry rhizome that looks like a Rabbit’s foot?
I love this plant, unfortunately, I sometimes notice it’s dying.
I thought I was alone but so many gardeners, both beginners and experts are concerned.
If you’re asking, “Why is my Rabbit’s foot fern dying?” Here’s what I know:
Overwatering your Rabbit Foot Fern is the primary reason why it’s dying or showing signs of dormancy.
An overwatered fern can cause rotting of the rhizomes. Also, harsh temperatures, using the wrong pot or container, continuous direct sun exposure could also lead to your rabbit’s foot fern drooping or turning yellow.
How to Revive a Dying Rabbit Foot Fern
1). Repot the Plant
If your rabbit foot fern is dying, you may need to repot it. When repotting your fern, use a high-quality indoor plant potting mix. You should also repot the fern into a larger pot.
You should add some sphagnum moss to the bottom of the second pot, as the fronds draw their water from this. You should avoid using Epsom salt as the bottom container, but you should try it anyway.
2). Keep it in a Shady Place
You can save your rabbit foot fern by keeping it in a shady area for a few months. However, you must water it frequently.
If the soil is dry, you should let the fern soak in water for 15 minutes. You can even bring the potting medium into the shower for soaking. It will survive for several months if you do these things.
Make sure you keep the soil moist. If the problem persists, you should use a fungicide.
If you cannot find a fungicide that will kill the fungus, it is best to move the fern to a sunny location.
If you do not have the time to move it to a sunny place, you can keep it in a shady place for a few months. If you still cannot save your rabbit’s foot fern, you can try misting it with denatured alcohol.
3). Water the Rabbit Foot Fern Regularly
At the end of the day, watering your plant properly is vital to its health. A healthy plant will thrive in a sheltered, shady spot. But if the plant is too dry, you can also soak it in water for 15 minutes and bring it inside the shower.
In this way, you will get rid of the problem without damaging the fern itself. If you’re worried about its survival, you can also try bringing it into the shower as a last resort.
To save your rabbit foot fern, you should water it at least once a day. It needs to be regularly watered to survive.
The fern also needs a lot of water. If it’s not getting enough water, you should try to repot it in a sunny window or in a dark room. If your rabbit foot fern is dying, you can repot it in a shady room.
Don’t Overwater or Over-fertilize Your Fern
Overwatering and too-drying climates can cause your rabbit foot fern to turn brown or limp. You should avoid overwatering and over-fertilizing it, as this can cause root rot. Over-watering also causes the leaves to yellow.
A dry climate can cause a fern to wilt. It’s best to leave the soil moist and avoid overwatering or overfertilization.
The Plant Needs a Well-Mixed Soil Type
The soil around your rabbit foot fern may be too wet or too dry. If the soil is too wet, it will die. If the soil is too dry, it will turn brown. If it’s too wet, it will rot.
The rabbit foot fern needs neutral soil that is neutral to its pH. A moist environment will cause it to shrivel and die. It can grow in pots or be mounted on a log.
But if it is not in a pot, it can survive in the shady area. Too-wet soil can cause root rot. A shady spot is the best place for a rabbit foot fern.
It’s also possible that it has a problem with the fern’s root system. If this happens, it’s time to repot it.
Use Pots With Drainage Holes
If the fern is growing in a pot that does not have adequate drainage holes, it is likely to have a sloppy root system.
A pot with adequate drainage holes will ensure proper plant growth. If you have sloppy soil, the roots will dry out and die.
Therefore, it’s essential to properly water your rabbit foot fern on a daily basis.
You can also use a liquid houseplant fertilizer every two weeks.
How to Care For Rabbit Fern Plant
The Rabbit’s foot fern is a very low-maintenance houseplant. Its fuzzy rhizomes can grow to 2 feet in length and look just like fur.
Its roots, when properly grown, should be well-drained and should have a neutral pH level. To help your fern grow healthily, fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks. Ensure it receives adequate lighting to grow properly and to maintain a healthy appearance.
The soil around your plant should be moist but not too moist. Don’t place the fern in the deepest part of the soil. The rhizomes need fresh, moist soil, so make sure to mist it often.
The rhizomes will take about 2 weeks to fully root in a new container, but once they are firmly rooted, they will have a magnificent appearance.
Plant Rabbit’s Foot Fern in North-Facing Window
A sunny location is ideal for the Rabbit fern. Its best location is in a north or east-facing window. It needs temperatures ranging from 60degF (about 16 degrees Celsius) to grow successfully. It also prefers a moderate amount of humidity, so avoid dry, hot air.
A cool-mist room humidifier is a good way to increase humidity around your fern. You can also mist the fern every few days to keep it moist and fresh.
Does It Thrive in a Humid Environment?
For optimal growth, Rabbit fern plants require a humid, moderately humid environment. They can grow in a pot or a container that contains moist pebbles.
If your fern doesn’t get enough humidity, raise the humidity around it by placing it on a tray filled with wet pebbles.
You can also mist it with a watering can. The temperature of your house should be around 55degF (13degC) throughout the winter, and it should have adequate drainage. If you’ve never kept a frond before, it’s time to start.
You should water it as often as you can, but don’t overdo it. Unlike other ferns, the rhizomes of the rabbit foot fig plant need daily watering.
Mist Your Plant Regularly
For optimum growth, you should mist the fern twice a week. If you’re unsure about when to water your fronds, mist it a couple of times a week.
Choosing the right planter is crucial. Because the rhizomes of this particular foot ferns are very efficient at absorbing moisture.
A rabbit foot fern needs to be misted several times a week for optimal growth. It needs to be moistened every few days to keep it healthy.
Because its rhizomes are more porous than typical weeds, they can be easily destroyed by high-frequency misting.
Conclusion
It is easy to identify if your rabbit foot fern is suffering from overwatering or too little moisture. A sluggish fern will show yellowish or brownish fronds.
A dry plant will not thrive in the garden. When a spongy fern is too small for its environment, it is probably suffering from dehydration.
If it’s grown indoors, you should check its soil for signs of salt.